Bone metastasis occurs in more than 80% of advanced prostate cancer (PCa), and is the major cause of morbidity and mortality in PCa patients. Understanding why PCa cells preferentially metastasize to bone may lead to the identification of prognostic marker and potential therapeutic target for inhibiting PCa metastasis. The specific aims of this project are designed to first demonstrate the critical function of Ang-1 in the maintenance of prostate cancer stem cell properties using a combination of cutting-edge biochemical and cell biological approaches. With the aid of a newly established CellSearch system (Veridex) for isolation of disseminated tumour cells, APCRC-Q researchers seek to determine whether Tie-2 expression in the circulating tumour cells better predict PCa bone metastasis. A 3-D bone metastatic model and an orthotopic prostate cancer bone metastatic xenograft models will also be used to determine the role of Ang-1 in prostate cancer bone metastasis.
